T3 HINTS OX PROFITABLE FRUIT GROWING. 



late sorts, as the smaller growers often stand a better 

 chance in supplying the market before and after the 

 heavy consignments. 



, The first object being, however, to make his crops pay, 

 the fruit grower will not plant largely of any sort that 

 has not been thoroughly tested in his district on similar 

 soil, and the Paxton will continue to be selected first by 

 planters because of its good " all round" advantages, its 

 size, hardiness, and prolific character. 



The secret of strawberry culture is liberality with 

 manure in early spring, and great caution as to keeping 

 the soil solid, to encourage surface growth, with plenty 

 of space between the plants, and the sites good for air and 

 sunshine. The runners should be got in early from 

 April to August if possible selecting showery dull 

 weather. Besides a liberal mulching of long stable 

 manure early in April or May, the best fertilizers, where 

 such are easily obtainable, are a good dressing round 

 the plants in October of old shoddy, tan, decayed leaves, 

 or other vegetable refuse. All these will serve well to 

 protect the plants during winter. 



The runners should never be planted closer than 

 eighteen inches in the rows, which should be three feet 

 apart; whilst after the first year the more vigorous 

 growers do best at three feet apart, and after the fourth 

 year they should always be renewed. The Kentish 

 growers, on ploughed land, plant fourteen inches apart, 

 and thirty-two inches from row to row. 

 . The best sorts are King of the Earlies, Laxton's 

 Noble Countess, Sir Joseph Paxton, President, British 

 Queen, Keen's Seedling (the favourite early) Crown 

 Princess, Thury (or Garibaldi), La Grosse Sucree, Lucas, 

 , and Elton Pine. James Yeitch is considered 



